Nutcracker!, Sadler’s Wells, Islington, EC1

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HATS off to Matthew Bourne. His Nutcracker! is the most enjoyable and clever staging imaginable. Originally performed in 1992 and revamped last Christmas, it is now back for yet another festive eight-week run at Sadler’s Wells.

Even though some of its initial deficits are still in place, Bourne’s version is now so sleek and so well oiled that they no longer seem to make any difference to the final outcome. Here Bourne’s talents as a maker of dance steps can happily play second fiddle to Bourne’s genius as a director.